With Octoberfest just around the corner, nothing could be more timely than a wedding shoot inspired by all things Fall + beer. You heard right, this spread proves that a brewery can be uber chic. Think craft beers, a gorgeous outdoor setting like Hopmonk Sebastopol and scrumptious food pairings. Plus a night that ends with a cozy open air movie and gathering around the fire pit. We’re completely sold on this entire spread crafted by Buzzworthy Events SF along with florals by Cup Full of Flowers and images snapped by Gladys Jem. See so much more right here in the full gallery.
From Buzzworthy Events SF… As Northern California’s wine country continues to flourish and play host to dreamy winery and barn-themed weddings, we’ve noticed that there is a newer trend is on the rise: craft breweries. California’s already made its mark on the map for its wines, but microbreweries are starting to have a large impact on the local economy, and some of them are branching out rapidly. We teamed up with Hopmonk Tavern, a newer venture from Dean Biersch. Hopmonk Tavern is in Sebastopol, a northwestern region of Napa/Sonoma, which is home to beautiful beer gardens! As soon as I laid eyes on it, I was swooning about the endless possibilities of what we could do with the space. Therefore, we welcomed the fun opportunity to shed some light on a less-than-traditional setting, which is the type of setting we absolutely love. Not to mention, we love to kick back a venue to the grooms that they will love and can get thoroughly excited about as well.
A bohemian theme is something we heart and was a perfect medium between the rustic setting of the tavern and a wedding. We wanted to “go crazy” with soft greenery and flowers using subtle colors, peaches, oranges and a hint of blue for a whimsical pop of color. Eucalyptus wreaths and garlands were created especially to fit the arch over the table and the window frames around the venue. We love intimate dining occasions, and the venue catered to that. Adding to the ambiance, we transformed the tavern’s stage into a screening area for a film around a fire pit. We created a cozy area for lounging when the sun went down, illuminated by the fire pit and lots of twinkling lights and lanterns. A few of our favorite elements of the styling were the gold antlers that added a pop of glamor to the rustic table setting. They were custom-made by the girls at BuzzWorthy Events SF.
The menu featured the tavern’s own brews, and because we strongly encourage and promote using local and seasonal fresh ingredients, the menu was delightfully suited for a wedding occasion. To begin, we implemented unique touches, such as creating pretzel knots laced with a homemade hop sea salt, and we also served the tavern’s summer citrus salad and a cider-braised local salmon. For the “featurette,” we made Guinness floats with a buttered popcorn ice cream to enjoy during the screening. For the foodies, we paired wedding cakes to the tavern’s beers.
For the bride, we loved a simple wreath of eucalyptus and a bouquet of dried lavender. She was most stunning when the wind caught her hair and the sun shined on her from behind. Her Banana Republic dress was simply perfect on her. It was a blast to collaborate with Gladys Jem for a day full of laughter and beauty! One of the sweetest compliments we got at the venue came from one of the girls working in the bar, who came outside while we were shooting and proclaimed, “I’ve never thought about the tavern in this way — maybe I’ll have my wedding here!” A job done right!
Photography: Gladys Jem / Photo Shoot Venue: Hopmonk Sebastopol in Sebastopol, California / Design + Styling: Ashley Smith of Buzzworthy Events SF / Floral Design: Junalene Demavivas of Cup Full of Flowers / Wedding Cake: Rebekah Cote / Menu Design: Kimmi McKenzie of Hermia’s Wishes / Linens: La Tavola / Wedding Dress: Banana Republic